Marine Corps Tactical Radio Systems

Abstract

Tactical Communications Modernization (TCM): TCM contains multiple CMC Force Design programs. TCM supports the research, testing, and evaluation of non-developmental tactical voice and data radio systems for mounted and dismounted operations within all echelons of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. The testing will ensure the communication systems are joint networking capable and support National Security Agency (NSA) Communications Security (COMSEC) Modernization requirements. The funding provides contracted engineering support, facility test support, and test reporting for multiple systems. These include the Multi-Band Radio's (MBR II), Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), High Frequency Radio II (HFR II), Multi-Channel Radio Family of System (MCR FoS) [Multi-Channel Man Pack (MCMP) and Multi-Channel Handheld (MCHH)] radios, Ground Link-16, antennas, current systems requiring updates or obsolescence issues, and Joint Enterprise Network Manager (JENM). TCM also funds portions of developmental waveforms, Systems Planning Engineering Evaluation Device (SPEED) is a USMC government-off-the-shelf software program for communications planning and analysis. SPEED provides the Marine Corps and other services with a standard set of software tools used to perform radio link engineering and propagation analysis studies in support of a tactical environment. Networking on the Move (NOTM): NOTM is a critical CMC Force Design program, essential to achieving USMC Force Design imperatives by 2030. NOTM is a critical enabler for "Command and Control (C2) in a Degraded Environment," a Force Design 2030 Line of Effort. NOTM enables persistence inside contested environments, and the conduct of sea denial operations as part of the Naval Expeditionary Force. NOTM achieves this by providing a state-of-the-art turn-key open architecture solution that enables forces to exercise C2 across operational domains - land, sea, air, and while transitioning between domains, by providing terrestrial line of sight and beyond line of sight satellite communication gateway services, and access to services and applications that enable forces to exercise C2 while transitioning between static and mobile positions. NOTM provides critical radio, voice, C2 datalinks to key leaders in dynamic environments across multiple domains. The USMC has two NOTM programs, the NOTM Ground Combat Vehicle (NOTM-GCV), and the NOTM Airborne (NOTM-A) with requirements to field kits for the following platforms: NOTM-GCV variants include High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV), Amphibious Combat Vehicle - Command and Control Variant (ACV-C), and Ultra-Light Tactical Vehicle (ULTV). NOTM-Air variants include systems for integration onto USMC KC-130J Hercules and MV-22 Osprey aircraft. One NOTM system for HMMWV and JLTV consists of three vehicles per system (1 Point of Presence (POP) and 2 Staff Vehicles). The HWWMV systems are being divested and will transition to JLTV system via JLTV retrofit kits. The AAV variant consists of two vehicles per system (1) Point of Presence (POP) and (1) Staff Vehicles). Each NOTM system for ULTV, ACV-C, consists of one vehicle per system (POP vehicle). Each NOTM-A consists of one aircraft per system (KC-130J/MV-22). NOTM also supports Navy shipboard integration by installing NOTM Tactical Entry Point (TEP) Modem Kits on Amphibious L-class ships to provide services to Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR) forces ashore. COSMOS details are held at a higher classification. Wideband Satellite Communications (WSATCOM) (formerly VSAT): This is a critical CMC Force Design program. WSATCOM is an integrated satellite communications family of systems (FoS) that is the primary beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) communications platform for the MAGTF. This FoS supports the expeditionary advanced base operations concept by enabling communication throughout all levels of distributed MAGTF operations. WSATCOM systems' modular architecture supports technology insertion through scalable and flexible SATCOM technologies. WSATCOM uses commercial Ku and military X and Ka frequency bands to provide BLOS connectivity to support intra-MAGTF communications (NIPRNET, SIPRNET, telephony) at all levels of the MAGTF. It directly and indirectly supports the seven functions of information operation concepts, enabling commanders at all levels to reliably command and control forces and to support a wide range of information operation missions. Individuals of this FoS include Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) Small, Medium, and Large. These systems are being replaced by the Marine Corps Wide-Band SATCOM (MCWS) Expeditionary (MCWS-X), and Light and Heavy (MCWS-L/H) and FY 2024 will focus on testing of the MCWS-L/H test assets systems. Secure Mobile Anti-Jam Reliable Tactical-Terminal (SMART-T): SMART-T provides tactical users with protected data and voice via Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite communications. The SMART-T system is transported on High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs), providing MAGTF Commanders a secure, survivable, long-haul, low/medium data rate communications link not subject to terrain masking and horizon limitations. The SMART-T is the only USMC asset that possesses a SATCOM AEHF capability. Terrestrial Wideband Transmission Systems (TWTS): This is a CMC Force Design program. TWTS is a portfolio that provides the Fleet Marine Force with the capabilities of high throughput secure Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) and Line of Sight (LOS) terrestrial digital data transmission. TWTS consists of systems that are Leading Readiness Indicators for the Marine Corps Force Design Effort supporting the conduct of Command and Control in a degraded environment. The Next Generation Troposcatter (NGT) will provide the BLOS capability, which is currently in the Engineering and manufacturing Development Phase. The NGT capability will provide significantly higher bandwidth communications over longer distances compared to the Army/Navy Transportable Radio Communications-170A (AN/TRC-170A) that has been in operations and sustainment since 1992. The Line-of-Sight Radio System Family of Systems (LRS FoS) which began fielding in FY 2022, and an optical communications system. The LRS FoS will provide Naval integration over long distances with both shore-to-shore and shore-to-ship connectivity. This capability is critical to the Force Design goals of establishing resilient communications architectures capable of closing kill webs in austere environments. LRS FoS includes a Transit Case based system for operational flexibility and the Tactical Elevated Antenna Mast II (TEAMS II) which provides the antenna height needed for transmitting over significant distances. The optical communications system operates outside of the Radio Frequency spectrum to provide Marines with an extremely high data rate communications pathway. The capabilities within the TWTS portfolio will modernize the Marine Corps ability to connect networks over long distances in contested and satellite denied environments. Test, Evaluation, & Engineering Environment (TEEE) - Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity (MCTSSA): TEEE supports FD2030, Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO), Recon and Counter Recon (RXR), and "Stand-In Forces" through developmental testing, engineering and experimentation efforts focused on CJADC2, Naval integration of systems, and C5I systems. It provides the only Marine Corps organic, mission funded facility for MAGTF C5I testing and engineering. The environment facilitates Joint Communications Exercises, Joint Interoperability Testing, Systems of System testing, and is the sole Marine Corps solution for Link-16 Tactical Data Link Networks, which tests air-to-air/ship/shore targeting and messaging before Marine/Navy use in theater. The environment is essential to evaluating more than 50 USMC and Joint C5I systems in order to ensure the effectiveness of these systems and performance in the FMF and is the hub for experimentation in support of Marine Corps FD2030 initiatives.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2025
• Source ID: 2275_0206313M_7_1319_PB_2025

Tags

Readers

• Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
• Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.
• Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
• Space